Though Fifth disease is a less concern in children and pregnant women, some people are put at a greater risk when exposed to this condition. To some people, a temporary halt in the production of red blood cells in the body does not impose a greater concern. However, for people with chronic anaemia or iron deficiency, it can impose substantial health risks. In some cases, Fifth disease can create damage to unborn children.

Should there be an outbreak of this disease in the workplace, pregnant women can still continue working and mingle with co­workers, provided that they are immune with parvovirus B19. However, if they are not immune, it would be best to stay away from the infected people to secure the health of their baby.

According to research, 1 in every 10 adults has suffered from Fifth disease on their childhood. Anyone can be diagnosed with Fifth disease but children less than 15 years of age are very susceptible to this condition. Researchers concluded that people who have been diagnosed with Fifth disease become immune with the illness, thus they cannot be infected again.

Meanwhile, 1 in every 400 women gets contracted with the virus during their pregnancy. There is no evidence that the transmission of parvovirus to the baby during pregnancy can cause mental disorders such as mental retardation. Though it mostly appears on the early stages of pregnancy, Fifth disease only occurs in less than 5% of pregnant women who had been exposed to this condition.

Until today, there is no available treatment for fifth disease. The condition simply goes away on its own.

On the subsequent week, children who had been diagnosed with this disease can notice distinctive red rashes on their face. Rash (sometimes itchy) may also extend through the limbs and torso. Some children may suffer from joint pain (ankles, joints and knees), though this rarely happens.

Fifth disease usually lasts for a week or two but it can recur intermittently for the next couple months, most especially when exposed to extreme cold or heat, sunlight and excessive exercise.

Thought adults don’t get rashes when infected, they are very likely to suffer from flu­like symptoms. Also, swelling of the joints may occur which may create pain. The symptoms for both adults and children usually last for 4­21 days after the infection.

• Avoid mingling with people who had been diagnosed with infectious diseases
• As much as possible, don’t share your food, drinking glasses and eating utensils.
• Always wash your hands, most especially after touching or wiping the nose of children who have viral
  diseases.
• Throw away used tissues.

A Doppler sonography may be administered to test your baby for anaemia. If the tests revealed some signs of foetal hydrops or anaemia, your doctor may recommend the procedure percutaneous umbilical blood sampling, a procedure used to determine if your baby has anaemia. Once confirmed, foetal transfusion may be necessary. It is a procedure which involves the transfusion of blood into the baby’s umbilical cord. Though this procedure imposes some risks, it can help in enhancing the survival rate of the foetus that had been severely affected by anaemia.

Later Dating

10-17 weeks

Gynaecological Scans

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